Middle English Dictionary Entry
relēsing(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | relēsing(e ger. |
| Etymology | Cp. relēsen v.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A release from pain, punishment, etc.; the forgiving of sin, pardon; a commutation of penance, dispensation [quot.: Spec.Sacer., 1st]; also, the revoking of a judgment; ?also, the payment of a debt [last quot.]; (b) a giving up of one's right or claim to property; also, a leasing of property; (c) a slackening, relaxation; (d) ?elaborationof flourishes at the end of a musical phrase.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.1026 : Thow shalt haue the moore lightly relessyng and grace of god bothe of synne and of peyne.
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1)66 : The most good pretendid..in siche indulgencis is releesinge of peyne enioynid of the chirche..othir delyueraunce fro peyne of purgatorie.
- c1425 Liber de Hyda in RS 45157 : I be qweyth..too handfullys of goold..to Elfsyge byschop..and..to Osketyl byschop, they to dele hyt yn here byschoprychys fo the relessyng of paynys of my sowle.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.m.12.33 : Orpheus..requyred and bysoughte by swete preyere the lordes of soules in helle of relessynge (that is to seyn, to yelden hym his wyf).
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)145/28 : Sche was schreuyn & dede al þat sche myth, but sche fonde no relesyng tyl sche was ner at dispeyr.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)158 : Trewe it is þat of goddis fre ȝifte and graunte comeþ þe releecyng of þe seid jugement.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)76/39 : Let hym faste yche weke Wednysday and Friday; And ȝif ther be siche nede that he may noȝt wele, let hym then bye relesynge.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)226/13 : The bisshop hadde the colde gowte in his feete, and þerfore they put the ysse to his feete, and he hadde there-by grete relesynge to his sorowe.
- -?-(1466) Will in Som.RS 16209 : I bequeithe to the high aulter of the seid chirch 3 s. 4 d. in relesyng of my tithes beyng behynd.
b
- (1459) Paston2.180 : Elzabet..knouleged the relessyng of all hyr ryght yn the seyd berehouses.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)557/14 : He yaf to hym..vij acres of arable lond..the which he had of a relesyng and quyteclaymyng of William Ingelot.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)608/8 : Here men of stratunne scholde not be taxid ȝerly ouer two marke for þe relesyng of þe town & hundrede of Wrhe.
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)23b/a : Þe 2a. intencioun is complete in..restrenyngz & wyþtakyngez þe materie of þe partie of flowing & with relesyngez [Ch.(2): slakkynges; L relaxantibus] by þe party whens the membre was wont for to be purged.
d
- ?c1450 in Aungier Syon Mon.320 : Ther songe schal be sadde, sober, ande symple withe out brekyng of notes and gay relesynge.